For Ben Affleck, getting involved with the movie ‘Air’—which chronicles Nike’s pursuit of a partnership with a young Michael Jordan—was more than just a directing and acting gig; it was an unexpected, deep dive into the world of sneaker culture.
Affleck’s research quickly morphed into a true obsession, turning the Hollywood heavyweight into an unlikely sneakerhead. “I have definitely got a massive education in the shoe culture since I have gotten involved with this movie,” he shared, noting how he started “researching the origins of the AJ1’s and even looking at the models that weren’t ever made and then what happened after.”
This deep immersion brought him into contact with people in the community, leading to a personal collection that has now grown perhaps a bit too large. “I got really obsessed with it and I got to know a bunch of people in that world and they started giving me stuff and I REALLY got into it and so now I have way too many sneakers. That’s the truth!” he admitted.
The Jordans That Stand Out
When asked if any specific Jordan models hold a special place for him, Affleck offered a mix of old-school appreciation and contemporary cool.
While acknowledging the impact of modern collaborators like Travis Scott (“If you want to talk about who’s doing the coolest stuff on top of the Jordans, I would say that his shoes are really interesting”), Affleck’s heart remains with the original designs.
“I like the 3’s,” he noted, referring to the legendary Air Jordan III. He also cited the “Fearless AJ1’s,” which were inspired by a quote from Michael Jordan and feature a distinct blue colorway. “The ones that iterate on the original Jordans are still kind of my favorite because they have the lakard, so I’m still old-school partial to the originals ones versus the iterations down the road,” he explained, summing up his preference for the foundational models that set the standard. Yet, he recognizes the continuing evolution: “Jordans have evolved in ways that they’re STILL leading the way.”
The Legacy of Sonny Vaccaro
A central figure in ‘Air’ is Sonny Vaccaro, the unconventional Nike marketing executive who staked his career on signing Jordan. Affleck admitted that while he knew the broad strokes, he learned significant details about Vaccaro’s character during the movie’s production.
The most telling detail for Affleck was Vaccaro’s subsequent involvement in the Ed O’Bannon case, which challenged the NCAA’s use of student-athlete likenesses. “Here’s an event that to me suggests a guy that was committed to the well-being of the athlete,” Affleck stated.
He connects the original deal—which allowed Jordan to participate in the revenue of his signature shoe—to a larger, more ethical commitment that Vaccaro demonstrated later.
“That deal created value in a kind of ripple effect for many, many others as well,” Affleck said. Vaccaro’s support for players litigating to participate in revenue generated by their likenesses—particularly in video games—impressed the director. “If it didn’t look like Giannis, then it wouldn’t be as fun; so that’s the big deal and that impressed me after I learned about the original deal at Nike.”
The Genius of Chris Tucker
The movie ‘Air’ also marked the return of Chris Tucker to the big screen, who plays Nike executive Howard White. Affleck was effusive in his praise for the comedian and actor.
“Chris Tucker is a genius,” Affleck declared, sharing an anecdote from the movie’s early test screening. Because Tucker works so sparingly, his casting was a surprise to many. “When did our first test screening, people didn’t know and he did was show up while he was sitting at the desk, the audience burst out cheering.”
Affleck attributed Tucker’s decision to take the role largely to his respect for the real-life Howard White. “I’m just so grateful to him… He came in and I think a lot of it has to do with his relationship with Howard and wanted to play that part, his respect for Howard and his interest and he’s the best man.”
